Kejriwal gets a new minister, but Dalit leader’s replacement may see ripples in Gujarat | Political Pulse News,The Indian Express
Dalit Congress leader Jignesh Mevani says AAP puts political exigency first, from Delhi riots to Bilkis Bano; but Buddhist organisations feel row will hit BJP more
Jignesh Mevani, Vadgam MLA, working president of the Gujarat Congress, and one of the most prominent Dalit leaders in the state, says he can’t understand what wrong Gautam did by repeating the vows that B R Ambedkar himself framed for conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism, at the event held in Delhi.
“Rajendra Pal Gautam’s inclination towards Buddhism appears to be quite genuine. And he has every right to convert to Buddhism like Babasaheb Ambedkar,” Mevani told The Indian Express.
He adds that the BJP, “being a force of Opposition”, was expected to put pressure on AAP over Gautam repeating the vows, which include the denunciation of Hindu gods and goddesses. “But I am not clear why he had to quit,” Mevani says.
Gautam has claimed that it was his own decision to resign, to spare AAP from BJP attacks.
On AAP’s silence on the matter after the BJP attacked Gautam, Mevani says he was not really surprised. “For the same reasons as to why AAP didn’t utter a word on Delhi riots, remained silent on Bilkis Bano, keeps mum on Dalit atrocity cases, they are not defending Rajendra Pal Gautam.”
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